An oxymoron consists of two words that contradict themselves to reveal a deeper meaning (e.g., open secret). This is an oxymoron because, in this context, “open” can be understood to mean “not secret,” while “secret” means “private.” On a deeper level, the combination of these...
An oxymoron has several purposes in literature and may be used for a number of reasons. An oxymoron may be used to clarify different shades of meaning or to emphasize conflict. One might also be used to create a better description of a scene, intensify the emotions felt by the characters ...
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two seemingly opposing and contradictory elements are juxtaposed. In literature, oxymora, also known as oxymorons, often reveal a paradox. The word oxymoron is in itself an oxymoron. It comes from the Ancient Greek wordoxumoron, a compound of the w...
The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- (meaning keen ...
Oxymoron: Learn all about what an oxymoron is, its meaning, definition and how it should be used in sentences. Check out the examples given in the article for a much better understanding of the same.
3. Can you give examples of oxymoron figure of speech in literature? Yes, examples include "living dead" from various literary works and "bitter sweet" in poetry and prose. 4. How do oxymorons affect the meaning of a sentence? They create a layered meaning by bringing together contradictory...
The origin of the word 'oxymoron' can be traced back to two Greek words 'oxy' which means 'sharp' and 'moros' meaning 'dull'. Widely used in English language, oxymorons are completely understood by the readers though they are combinations of the contradictory. You can even find a long ...
Aren't they opposites? One meaning of “awful” is “exceedingly disagreeable or objectionable.” But in the phrase “awful good,” it's an intensifier with the meaning “exceedingly great.” So, we're really saying that something is exceedingly good; it just sounds like a contradiction ...
In the below example, perhaps I could have said "aristocrats" or "high born", which both convey an identical meaning without being clichéd. Try the Cliché Report with a free ProWritingAid account. What Is an Oxymoron in Literature?
Oxymoron Examples in Literature Some of the longest-lasting oxymorons were generated by Shakespeare in his plays and are still widely used today. But Shakespeare isn’t the only oxymoron guru. In fact, many modern authors are coming up with their own as well, for example: Sweet sorrow (Sha...